Course Concepts #2 - Critical Thinking

In this podcast Peter and Mieke discuss the first of three learning objectives for the DTM course: the ability to think critically about theory and methodology. Critical thinking is something that many courses mention without ever really explicitly defining. In the discussion Peter and Mieke try to break down aspects of critical thinking in a practical sense, proposing a number of polarities for how to be properly critical. These are: strengths & weaknesses, compare & contrast, parts & wholes. They also emphasise the importance of ‘knowing your stuff’ and being able to situate things in context. To some degree critical thinking is about asking more nuanced questions, which the polarities above should help you with. It is also about arriving at a final position based on your questioning. Some of the example theories that Peter and Mieke talk about are design thinking, and the Double Diamond model/method/theory/representation of design (critical question: what is the Double Diamond exactly?) The next Course Concept podcast will focus on storytelling as a way to articulate designing, and the final podcast will discuss the close relationship between theory and practice in design activity.